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News Releases from Region 08

Settlement with Denver-based host of DIY Network series “Raise the Roof” resolves violations of lead-safe home renovation requirements

05/04/2017
Contact Information: 
Richard Mylott (mylott.richard@epa.gov)
303-312-6654

DENVER --  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a collective settlement with Denver-area contractors KGN Asset Management, LLC, KGN Asset Management, Inc., and Restoration Realty, Inc. as part of an ongoing initiative to protect residents of Denver neighborhoods from toxic lead-paint hazards during home renovations. Disturbing lead paint during renovations without proper work practices can expose homeowners and the public to toxic lead hazards.

The contracting firms are associated with Keith Nylund, the host of the DIY Network series “Raise the Roof.” The series followed Nylund as his firms conducted major renovations on homes throughout the Denver area, many of which involved removing roofs to add additional stories, a renovation practice commonly known as a “pop top.”

According to the settlement, Nylund’s firms allegedly conducted seven home renovations in Denver between 2014 and 2016 without following various requirements of the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule. These requirements prevent and minimize the release of lead-contaminated dust and debris. The alleged violations included failure to obtain EPA lead-safe firm certification, failure to maintain various required records demonstrating compliance on several properties, as well as violations of lead-safe work practice standards on several properties. The firms agreed to pay a total penalty of $30,000 to resolve these allegations. KGN Asset Management, LLC has since become a lead-safe certified firm.

Despite its ban from use in 1978, EPA estimates that lead-based paint is still present in more than 30 million homes in the U.S. When lead paint is disturbed during home renovations, proper work practices prevent toxic lead exposure to the home’s occupants. Infants, children, and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to lead-paint exposure, which can, even at low levels, cause lifelong impacts such as developmental impairment, learning disabilities, impaired hearing, reduced attention span, hyperactivity and behavioral problems.

The Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule protects the public from toxic lead hazards created by renovation activities involving lead-based paint and requires the certification of individuals and firms involved in these activities. Contractors working on homes built prior to 1978 must test for lead in paint, or presume lead is present, and apply applicable lead-safe work practices to minimize the risk of exposure to lead. 

As part of ongoing efforts to prevent toxic lead exposure resulting from renovations on homes with lead paint, EPA has conducted outreach and education activities among contractors and residents and inspected many jobsites in Denver-area neighborhoods. The agency will continue to evaluate compliance associated with these inspections and work to improve compliance among contractors who perform renovation projects where lead paint is present.

For more information on lead or the RRP Rule requirements: http://www.epa.gov/lead/renovation-repair-and-painting-program.

Violations of the RRP Rule can be reported online at: https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/report-environmental-violations